Championship duo pull off giant-killing acts

The top two teams in the Swalec Championship, Ebbw Vale and Bargoed, took giant bites out of the considerable reputations of two Principality Premiership sides in the Swalec Cup.

While Championship leaders Ebbw Vale were beating Cardiff at the Arms Park, second placed Bargoed were making home advantage pay against Bridgend to make it a great afternoon for the mighty minnows.

A try from wing Polu Uhi turned the tie in favour of the battling Steelmen in the Welsh capital after they had changed ends 11-3 in arrears. But Uhi's try, and 11 points from the boot of Josh Lewis, secured a famous 16-11 victory.

Bargoed skipper Leigh Meades led by example in his side's 17-13 defeat of Bridgend as he crossed for one try and inspired his pack to bag a push-over try for another. Those two scores allowed the Championship outfit to race into a 14-3 interval lead.

But Bridgend battled back after the break with a try by Scott Hicks from a driving line-out and a corner try from wing Rhys Ward-Evans that cut the gap to a single point.
Thankfully for the Bargoed fans, outside half Josh Prosser kept his nerve at the end to land a final penalty that clinched the win and added Bridgend's scalp to that of Aberavon secured last season.

Aberavon safely made it into the the third round this year with a 44-6, five-try rout of Beddau. Martin Jenkins, Jamie Davies, Lee Purnell, Chris Davies and Rowan Jenkins all crossed for tries for the home side..

Blackwood defeated Glamorgan Wanderers 32-18 thanks to tries from Matthew McGovern, Gareth Williams, Keiron Brown and Nicky Tucker, while Swansea came up with a 17-14 triumph at Rodney Parade against Newport.

In another all-Premiership clash, Neath won at home to Cross Keys with tries from Bowdy Davies and Luke Jones helping the hosts on their way to a 19-12 win.

In West Wales, home side Carmarthen Quins edged past Bedwas 23-21. It was all-square at 14 points apiece at the break, but three penalties from the boot of Jack Maynard won the day for the home side despite losing 2-1 on try count.

Tata Steel were well beaten at home by Principality Premiership leaders Pontypridd, 43-6. Early tries from Ponty due Owen Williams and Chris Clayton dashed any hopes of an upset and former Wales wing Gareth Wyatt rounded off proceedings with a late touchdown.

British & Irish Lions trio Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams and Dan Biggar return to the Wales starting line-up for Saturday's crucial NatWest 6 Nations encounter in Dublin against Ireland where Warren Gatland's men will be seeking their second scalp of the campaign.

Wales forward coach Robin McBryde has given Welsh fans a major boost ahead of this weekend's vital NatWest 6 Nations clash by declaring "Everybody has been given the green light," with injured trio Dan Biggar, Taulupe Faletau and Leigh Halfpenny all back in training.

The Wales squad met back up this morning to prepare for the clash against England - WRU TV caught up with Neil Jenkins who said the squad were under no illusions for their next task but a trip to Twickenham doesn't hold any fears for a confident Wales side.

Wales hooker Ken Owens was delighted to get the NatWest 6 Nations off to a flying start with a convincing win against Scotland, where he says the squad were determined to deliver a performance 'from minute one.'

Welsh referee Nigel Owens will create history in the opening round of the NatWest 6 Nations clash at Stade de France where France face Ireland, when he surpasses the previous record of 17 Six Nations matches held by Alain Rolland and Jonathan Kaplan, as WRU TV's Graeme Gillespie discovers

Just two days until the NatWest 6 Nations kicks off. George North takes WRU TV around the players area at Principality Stadium after going through security - which fans will have to do on Saturday. Gates open at 11.15 - don't leave it late!

Next in the series of #TheTeamRoom we listen in to the first leadership group in camp. The players were asked to nominate their peers who they wanted to represent them on the group and we hear what Warren and the players have to say.